Challenge: A Contemporary MMA Romance: Oni Fighters Book 3

by Natalie Gayle

  “And yes, it’s great to see you up and moving around, as well.” She looked at me conspiratorially. “Let me guess, he’s pushed way too hard and every thing’s good again if you’re in the family way.”

  I laughed. She knew him so well. “Well, that’s exactly correct but you already knew that. I’m actually thirteen weeks pregnant.”

  Her eyes grew bright with surprise. “So, before the accident. And you never guessed?”

  “Night of and no.” I’d always felt so comfortable with Nancy, she’d been a big part of the journey Seth and I had been on for his recovery. I knew I could tell her anything.

  “If only it had been that simple.” Both Nancy and I looked at him.

  “What?” she said with disbelief in her voice.

  “Well, it’s not exactly all been smooth sailing.”

  A frown settled on her face. “Oh? What’s happened? No complications? You seem like you’re moving really well” She took another look at him as if to try and figure out what he meant.

  “Not me. The baby.”

  She must have twigged that something wasn’t right. “Everything okay?”

  “No, yes. Hopefully,” I spluttered out.

  And Nancy looked lost, which I’m sure was quite a unique experience for her.

  “Soph’s not making much sense. We’ve had a rough week. You see, we thought we were going to lose the baby…”

  Nancy drew in a deep gasp. “Oh no.”

  “Well, we’re okay for the moment and we think things are back on track.” The next thing I knew, Seth was laying it all out for her in the corridor while he held me snuggled against his side.

  I’m glad it was him who had decided to tell our story. I was still feeling a little too raw emotionally to get through it without a flood of tears and I hated those.

  Nancy was standing there shaking her head in disbelief, as the story unfolded.

  “You poor buggers. Fancy having to go through all that right after the accident. Someone sure keeps tossing you pair challenges.” If only she knew the full extent of it, with Seth’s Mum and Dad. I wasn’t up for going through all that now. “Dr. Chambers is pretty amazing, though. This is not the first time I’ve heard about him doing what seems to be the impossible.”

  “It certainly has been a rough three months, but also really good.” Seth squeezed me into him. “I finally got my head screwed on right.”

  Nancy laughed, then winked at me. “Sometimes, it takes these men a little longer and nothing like a good whack to the head to wake ‘em up.”

  “I could have done without the stay in hospital,” he grumbled.

  Nancy held her hands out in mock offence. “What? And have missed the opportunity for me to hassle you and mother you. I don’t believe you for one moment.”

  We all chuckled.

  I’m sure he could have done without the accident but Nancy was one of a kind—a bright light in an otherwise bleak time. It was one of those crazy things with life, you never did know who you were going to meet and when or how they’d influence your life along the way.

  “I’m just glad the knock to the head wasn’t more serious. His recovery is coming on great and I’m going to need him on his best game with the baby and all,” I admitted. It was only starting to dawn on me what parenthood actually meant.

  “Yeah, me too. Looks like we’ve got a bit more on our plates,” Seth agreed.

  “Me three,” Nancy agreed. Then she reached out and took my left hand and examined it before looking to Seth in question.

  “So, you haven’t mentioned it, but I’m gathering the fight’s off.” She looked between both of us for confirmation. Seth nodded his head in answer. “Right, so she’s not fighting and there’s no ring on her finger. What are you going to do about that?” Nancy gave him a long hard look.

  Heat rushed to my face and Seth’s jaw dropped open.

  Then, she drew us both into a quick hug. “Sorry kids, but I’m going to have to love you and leave you. I need to get up to the ward. I’ve got patients to terrorise...” She shrugged. “You know how it is.”

  She gave us both a wink and walked off, then called over her shoulder, “keep me posted on the little guy. Might have to swing me a stint in maternity. I’m sure they could use a shake up”

  Both Seth and I laughed.

  If anyone could, it would be Nancy.

  32

  Sophia

  “Does this feel weird to you?” I asked him as we drove over to Eden and Xander’s.

  “What?” He glanced across at me, frowning a little, obviously confused by me blurting out something random like that.

  “Well, we’re heading over for dinner with my family and our friends and we’re a real couple with a baby on the way. It just feels like we’ve been through so much and now we’re on the other side its almost as if I don’t know what to feel.”

  “Try happy!”

  I burst out laughing…only Seth. His sense of humour was just another thing I loved about him.

  A second later, he looked worried. “Not having second thoughts are you?”

  I couldn’t resist, he’d started the teasing.

  “What—about you or the baby?” I asked deadpan.

  A stunned look crossed his face and I realized this probably wasn’t the best time to be messing with him when he was driving. I started laughing again and he immediately knew I’d been playing with him.

  “Ha, ha, ha. Funny girl. Ever heard the saying, be careful what you wish for, because you got both of us. Like it or not. And I’m warning you now, babe, my boy and I are the type to hang on to what’s ours.” He squeezed my thigh.

  Ours, I liked the sound of that. Just the being someone’s mother part had started to freak me out a little bit.

  “I can’t believe I’m going to be someone’s mother. I’m going to suck at it.” I knew nothing about babies.

  “You’re going to be an amazing mum.”

  “You don’t know that,” I protested.

  “I do know that, Soph. You keep proving it over and over. When I had the accident, most people would have left me then and there. Not you—you were there for me day and night. But not just in person, you put your life on hold for me.”

  “Anyone would have done that. Besides, I was just infatuated with your big hunky body and what a stud in bed you are.” I brushed it off with some humour. Not doing what I did had never crossed my mind.

  “Nope, you’re wrong. Case in point, my family. Where the fuck were they? You are, of course, right about me being a stud.” He rocked the smug, sexy look like nobody’s business.

  He was right, though. His family were nowhere to be seen.

  “Then, this last couple of weeks when you found out about the baby being in trouble you never once gave up hope. You fought for him every step of the way.”

  “I was a complete wreck, Seth,” I admitted.

  “Nope, you weren’t, Soph. You were so not a wreck. I’ve seen women that are emotional wrecks. Hell, I lived with one for years. You even had the misfortune of meeting her. Not you, you’re so strong. I’m sure a big part of the reason our little guy is fine today is because you damned well willed him to be that way.”

  Oh, my God. Did he really think all that?

  Tears were fast forming in my eyes. God, I hated pregnancy hormones, or was it love hormones…I wasn’t sure. Either way, they were killing me when my guy had turned all tender and emotional. Suddenly, I was beginning to see the attraction of light and breezy.

  “So, lose the doubts, babe. You’re going to be a great mum. The best. And I know this because you haven’t failed me or him when we’ve both needed you the most. And I’m pretty sure no one knows the first thing about being a parent until they suddenly have to do it. Neither of us are stupid, we’ll figure it out. Lot’s of people less smart and less together than us have kids, babe.”

  Well, that was true. We could learn.

  “I just think of all the things that could happen and go wron
g and the what if’s and all that.” It was true, I did think all that.

  “Sophia, sweetheart, you think too much. Just enjoy it. I’m going to. I could sure do with a few months of normal before the little guy makes an appearance. We have to go with what we know. And what we know is our little guy is fine right now and you’ll keep growing him that way. Fine!”

  Seth seemed so certain, he really had become my rock through all of this.

  “Okay, I’m going to go with that.”

  “Good. Now, let’s just go and enjoy our friends and family.”

  We pulled up at Xander and Eden’s.

  “My family, you mean.”

  “Nope, babe. Ours.”

  “How do you figure that?” I was curious to see what he said as much as I was enjoying stirring him a little, I was happy to share. After all, Xander and him had been like brothers for far more years than I’d known either of them.

  He reached over and caressed my stomach. “This little guy is half mine. The way I see it, he joins us all together. Besides, I’m about done with my family. The exception being Rachel, of course. Figure I’ll see if yours fits me better.”

  I liked the sound of that, I also loved the self-assured arrogance, or was it confidence, that this would all work out fine and he could make my family his.

  “Right, let’s get inside. I’m not going to think about my family right now. I’m putting all my focus and energy on what are the most important people in my life—you, our little guy, and the people in there.” He nodded towards the barn.

  “Okay, I can live with that.” And I could, I just wondered if there would ever be a time when he didn’t feel that way about his family or if the wounds ran too deep.

  No sooner had we entered the barn than we were greeted with hugs all around. I don’t think I ever remembered feeling this amount of love, concern, and care.

  Everyone who mattered was there.

  My parents, Tori, Dane, Arianne and Isaac, Xander, Eden, and of course Len, Xander’s dad, who also lived on the property. Len and Eden had become really close since she married Xander, which I loved for her. It was never a burden to have more people in your corner who loved you for who you were.

  When we walked in, everyone hugged and congratulated us. Then, Eden came back in for seconds and put her hand right on my belly. It would have felt weird if it was anyone else.

  “I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew.” I smiled and looked over at Seth, who’d heard what she’d said, as well. We’d decided to keep the sex of the baby just for ourselves at least for the moment.

  We’d decided that this whole pregnancy to date, felt as if it had been played out in the public arena—albeit amongst our family and friends. We wanted a little something for ourselves.

  “I think Eden just volunteered to babysit, babe,” Seth dobbed her in.

  “Sounded like it to me, Seth,” I agreed.

  “Hey, your kid, you look after him or her,” Xander protested but we all knew there wasn’t an ounce of truth in what he was saying. Xander loved kids and he’d make a great dad one day.

  Eden gave him a long look and something passed between them. “Don’t listen to him. I’ll babysit whenever you need me to.”

  Tori held up her hands. “Don’t look at me. I know nothing about babies.”

  “Me either,” I agreed.

  “I’m sure you’ll get by just fine. We did, didn’t we, Noel?” my mother assured me.

  “Yeah, we did. They’ll be tough days and easy ones. It’s all part of the deal.”

  They seemed happy about things but I felt they still had doubts about my relationship with Seth. I think they were also struggling a little about the way in which things had played out. Good thing I was a firm believer in life working out the way it was meant to.

  Surviving the fire had taught me that on the brink of adulthood. It had been a hard time in all our lives. It had also made me stronger and much more aware and thankful for how fortunate I had been and how quickly life can turn. I’d learned early to grab life with both hands and that was exactly what I was doing. Now, I was more certain than ever Seth and I were meant to be together.

  “The first few months can be a bit scary but you soon figure it out,” Arianne added with a smile. If anyone knew tough, it was her.

  Dane looped his arm around her shoulders and reeled her in against him. “I’m terrified,” he said more to her than the rest of us and every one of us twigged just by the look on his face.

  “You two are pregnant!” Eden squealed.

  They both smiled at each other, it was one of those tender looks between a couple, the sort that you felt almost as if you were invading their privacy. I wondered if Seth and I ever looked like that.

  “Well, she is, I just helped get her that way,” Dane confirmed and Arianne just nodded.

  “Does that mean I’m going to be a brother?” Isaac piped up.

  “Sure does, man.” Dane ruffled his hair. “Big brother Isaac.”

  Everyone paused, waiting to see how he’d take it.

  “Yay!” He jumped up and down, whooped and hollered. I guess that settled that.

  Isaac’s excitement set off a whole new round of hugs, cheers, and congratulations.

  “How far along are you, Ari?” I asked.

  “About nine weeks, so a month or so behind you.”

  “Oh wow! Our babies will get to grow up together.”

  “Well, now I feel left out.” Eden looked at Xander and put him on the spot.

  And every eye in their spacious barn apartment looked to him.

  “Guess I’d better win that title then.” He shrugged casually.

  “You’d better,” his wife ribbed him.

  “Won’t be before time.” Len grumbled and I had a feeling he meant that in more ways than one.

  I noticed Seth and Dane both gave Xander solid nods.

  Right about then, my stomach growled and everyone looked.

  “Guess the little one is hungry. Did you say you were going to feed us, Eden?”

  “Yep, Xander cooked a roast.” I’d already figured that by the amazing smells that were coming from just over yonder in the kitchen. It seemed to be fast becoming a family thing—a roast each week or two. I liked the idea a lot.

  I also knew Xander still did most of the cooking in this household. Eden was still getting over her phobias with hot things. It was a left-over trigger from the trauma of the fire.

  “Good job marrying a guy that can cook,” I congratulated her.

  “Hey, I can cook,” Seth protested.

  “And so can I. I’m getting there.” Seth and Eden kind of ganged up on me.

  “Excellent, and I’ll enjoy you both proving it to me at a later time. Right now, I’m starved and I know Xander’s reliable in the kitchen. You two, I have my doubts about.” I looked to Xander expectantly, hoping he’d take pity on me and feed me soon.

  He did and mouthed “reliable” at Seth playfully and pointed to himself, before saying, “okay everyone. You can all help me get dinner, on the table.” And, like a well-honed machine, we did.

  Xander and us ladies got the food out while the guys got drinks organized and set the extra large table that Eden had selected for the barn apartment.

  Apparently, it was actually a massive timber door from an old Italian church. Whatever it was, it sure looked good. Around it, she’d put mismatched chairs that some how all worked together. They were kind of like us, mismatched but, as a collective group, we worked.

  God, pregnancy was making me sentimental! Ahhhh!

  Seth came up behind me and put his arms around me. “What was that look for?” he whispered close to my ear, which made every little nerve in my body tingle.

  I turned in his arms and stood on tip toe to whisper in his ear. “Just thinking that pregnancy is making me all soft and mushy.”

  He grinned. “You could never be soft and mushy.” His hands glided down my back and cupped my butt, pulling me in up against him a
nd I could very easily have got carried away. I loved being up close and personal with Seth. There was nothing better in life as far as I was concerned.

  A throat cleared and we looked around.

  “Any chance you can get your hands off my daughter’s backside and make your way to the table?” Dad gave Seth a look that was more amused than pissed, fortunately.

  Seth took it all in his stride and guided me to a couple of chairs side by side. If Dad thought that was going to embarrass or shame Seth, then he had a lot to learn about him.

  Food was passed around and dished out and, before long, we were all tucking into a real family meal.

  There wasn’t much conversation as people ate up. The food tasted even better than it smelled and that was saying something.

  “Well, man, if you decide to give up the fight game, you should open a restaurant. No two ways about it, you can sure cook.” Dane sat back and patted his belly, his plate spotlessly clean.

  Xander grinned and finished off the mouthful of steamed greens he was eating with the roast meat. “Only if you’re volunteering to be chief bottle washer. Every kitchen needs someone to clean it.”

  We all laughed at the look on Dane’s face.

  “What? You don’t do the dishes at home, man?” Seth teased.

  “That’s what dishwashers are for,” he grumbled.

  “And I can attest to the fact that he knows how to pack it. I’ve never seen anyone squeeze as much in a load as Dane. I swear, our dishwasher doubles at the Tardis.” Arianne came to Dane’s rescue.

  “Thanks, Ari.” Dane dropped a kiss on the side of her face.

  Everyone turned their attention to getting second helpings or finishing up their plates.

  Then, Dane turned his attention to me. “So, how’s the new business coming along? Made any headway on that marketing stuff we worked through?”

  I wriggled in my chair, suddenly uncomfortable. The truth was, I’d done bugger all since the craziness started with the baby. Well, other than the time I was trying to bury myself in work, just after we’d found out. I still wasn’t sure if what I’d done was actually anything useful. My mind had been elsewhere and I’d not yet sat down to look at it further.